Happiness

A week ago, I received news that a close friend is choosing the route to go on separate ways with the partner. It shook me quite a bit as I could feel the ambiguity that the both are going through. A bit of disappointment, a spoonful of pain, a tad of unwillingness and a pinch of doubt, both thinking that perhaps a separation will lead them to happiness. As much as I would have loved for both to work the issues out, ultimately, I recognize that it's a choice that the couple has to make and commit to.

Today, I had the privilege to be the wedding emcee for Mark & Lan Sim's. Their leader gave the exhortation for the couple and explained what the marriage vow is all about. As he was talking, I was thinking of what marriage meant to me. I think for two very different people to come together, it takes more than just love. Indeed, love is the very essence that kick start every relationship but not every love relationship ends up in marriage. It needs effort and a committed heart, it needs faith & trust, it needs humility and ability to say "I am sorry". Today marks a very special day where two of my friends covenanted to stay committed to each another.

Just a few days back, a child asked me "How can I be happy?".

Happiness. This is such a huge word to me all of a sudden. The pursuit of happiness is something almost in-born in all of us. When we were a baby, a milk bottle suffice and that's happiness. When we start our education, a good grade is happiness. When we work, a promotion is happiness. When we get married, an understanding spouse is happiness. When we have children and they do well, that is happiness. When we grow old and our children takes care of us, that is happiness.

Is it? Are those the very essence of happiness? What if we don't get our milk or good grades or promotion or an understanding spouse or children, do we not have happiness?

Jesus said in John 15:11 encouraging us to stay connected to Him "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that you joy may be complete."